Exciting news from Outback Arts this week – we have been awarded a $300,000 grant to purchase a building and redevelop the space into a Creative Hub for the far west region!

MEMBER for Barwon Kevin Humphries was in Coonamble on Monday 25 September to present the cheque in NSW Government funding for Outback Arts.

The funding will be used to purchase a building and turn it into an interactive facility including professional gallery space(s), industry specified gallery walls, lighting and equipment, studio space, retail and meeting space. There would also be an industry approved storage facility to house the only public art collection in far north-western NSW, which is owned by Outback Arts.

Regional Arts Development Officer, Jamie-Lea Trindall said that this is an exciting achievement and a huge opportunity for a regional town in Outback NSW.

“It will allow us to offer a high-quality environment to showcase the talents and work of local and regional artists,” said Mrs Trindall. “It will also be a very valuable piece of cultural infrastructure which is something we are lacking in our region.”

Outback Arts would be the only regional arts organisation to own and operate such a facility, lifting the profile of our community to the attention of state and government bodies and the arts industry. The high-profile location of the proposed Hub in the centre of Coonamble’s CBD, will also further strengthen the social and economic benefits to be derived from such an interactive space. The space will also act as a regional gallery to our far west communities, improving access to the arts and increasing regional capacity in the arts and cultural sector.

The funding is from the NSW Government’s Infrastructure Grants supported by the Clubgrants program. The Outback Arts Creative Hub is one of only 13 projects across NSW chosen from a strong field of more than 90 applicants.

“I’m pleased our Government has been able to fund this project, providing a new community space for arts and cultural events, exhibitions and workshops,” Mr Humphries said.

“This project will benefit our communities for decades to come by making it easier for people to enjoy local arts and cultural experiences.”

The project should provide a boost to the growing arts economy and bring in lots of exciting events and partnerships with visiting and local artists and established gallery institutions. Stay tuned!